Every year from April to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, heritage gardens and other interesting venues. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations – all free of charge!

St. Thomas’ Doors Open is coming up Saturday October 13th from 10am-4pm and will feature some unique experiences for the day, including free train rides! The train runs from the L&PS Station at 605 Talbot Street to the Elgin County building at 450 Sunset Drive, where people have an hour layover to explore the Elgin County Heritage Centre and Elgin County Archives. 

Highlights

• The Dowler- Karn Museum, normally open only on Wednesdays, will be open for visitors!
• Ride the Train from the L&PS station for your visit to the Elgin County Archives and Heritage Centre
• At the Elgin County Heritage Centre to travel back in time; choose a historic photograph, then see yourself transported into the past using Green Screen technology. Take your photo home for FREE! The Elgin County Heritage Centre also has Medieval activities in Talbot's Castle, a hands-on corn sheller and bean bag baseball!
• Celebrate the GRAND REOPENING of the STEAM Centre from 10am-6pm!
• My Big Fat Food Truck will be at the Elevated Park from 11am - 2pm
• Star Gazing from the Elevated Park beginning with a talk about the night sky at 6:30

Quick Facts

• Doors Open Ontario 2018 features hundreds of properties participating in 37 events across the province.
• In total, over 7.3 million visits have been made to 5,150 Doors Open Ontario sites since the program’s launch in 2002.
• Visitors to Doors Open Ontario contribute millions in support of local economies.
• St. Thomas is the final stop for the Doors Open Ontario Season

St. Thomas Sites

• L&PS Station, home of Railway City Tourism, 605 Talbot Street
• Port Stanley Terminal Rail, 605 Talbot Street
• Railway City Brewing, 130 Edward Street
• Dowler-Karn Museum, 43841 Talbot Line 
• Elgin County Railway Museum, 225 Wellington Street
• Princess Ave Playhouse, 40 Princess Ave
• Elgin County  Archives, 450 Sunset Drive
• Elgin County Heritage Centre, 460 Sunset Drive
• STEAM Education Centre, 168 Curtis Street
• St. Thomas Public Library, 153 Curtis Street
• St Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot Street
• St. Thomas Elevated Park, King & Centre Street

TRAIN SCHEDULE
10am depart L&PS Station - Return departure 11:30 am Elgin County Building
12pm depart L&PS Station - Return departure 1:30 pm Elgin County Building
2pm depart L&PS Station - Return departure 3:30 pm Elgin County Building
​
RAILWAY CITY TOURISM will be open at 9 AM for you to get your train tickets!

For more information about Doors Open Ontario 2018, contact Sarah Noble at 519-631-1680 x 4132 or tourism@stthomas.ca. Visit Doors Open for detailed event information, highlights and site details.

Doors Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust working with communities across the province to open the doors, gates and courtyards of their unique and most fascinating cultural sites so you can explore the stories inside.

Download your Doors Open flyer here to get all the info on times and locations!